Hartford, CT, November 10, 2014 - Hartford Stage will host a sensory-friendly performance of its annual holiday classic, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas - on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Sensory-friendly performances are designed to create a performing arts experience that is welcoming to all families of children with autism or other disabilities which create sensory sensitivities. This will be the first time that Hartford Stage has offered this type of performance for the community. It is also one of the first performances of this nature to be developed at a major theatre in Connecticut.

"We're so excited to offer our first sensory-friendly performance. One of our priorities is opening up Hartford Stage to young people who have little or no access to theatre," said Jennifer Roberts, Director of Education for Hartford Stage. "Our partnership with Unified Theater over the past few years has made us think even more about how we include young people of all different abilities in the work that we do in schools. This is a natural next step for us - to now create an event that will allow young people of all abilities, and their families, to be included in the experience of coming to see a play on our stage."

United Technologies is the exclusive Presenting Sponsor for A Christmas Carol. Additional funding to specifically support the sensory-friendly performance is being provided by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Grant - as recommended by The Right Track Fund, as well as a generous contribution from an anonymous donor. Hartford Stage also extends special thanks to Theatre Development Fund's Autism Theatre Initiative for serving as an advisor (www.tdf.org/autism).

The storyline and basic structure of A Christmas Carol will remain intact, but several important changes will be implemented to help make the experience comforting and fun for those with sensory sensitivities. Overhead lights will remain lit but dimmed; and audience members will be permitted to move around during the performance. There will be a reduction of loud or jarring noises, flashing/strobe lights, and startling effects. Sensory support tools such as blankets, stress balls and ear plugs will be provided, in addition to a designated quiet area off the lobby. Trained staff and volunteers will be available to offer friendly assistance throughout the evening. Additionally, all cast members will receive training in preparation for the performance.

To help prepare for their Hartford Stage visit, families will have access to free resource materials including a social story (a visual guide designed to detail the various social interactions, situations, and behaviors that will occur during the show) and a comprehensive performance guide, both of which will be available on the Hartford Stage website. These tools will help individuals with sensory sensitivities prepare to enjoy the play without any fear or uncertainty. A dedicated page on the Hartford Stage website will be available to provide additional resources.

To purchase tickets for the sensory-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol on Tuesday, December 9, contact the Hartford Stage Box Office at 860-527-5151 or order online at http://www.hartfordstage.org/sensory-friendly. Ticket prices start at $25. The Hartford Stage production of A Christmas Carol is recommended for ages 9 and older.